Sanyo-San'in Area Pass

Hello,

We plan to buy the Sanyo-San'in Area Pass.
Our travel idea is such after staying a few days in fukuoka first.
Day 1 Fukuoka -> Hiroshima
Day 2 Hiroshima(Miyajima Island) -> Hiroshima
Day 3 Hiroshima -> Okayama
Day 4 Okayama -> Himeji
Day 5 Himeji -> Shin-Kobe(Maybe) -> ?

Then we wish to visit Nara, Uji and Kyoto. Before spending a few days in Osaka to then travel up to Tokyo.
What I'm wondering is how to plan the Nara, Uji and Kyoto to most effecitvely use the pass.

Preferably we would go to Kyoto first but I'm confused by this statement; "The Tokaido Shinkansen between Kyoto and Shin-Osaka is not included, local trains can be used instead."
Can we not take a shinkansen directly from Himeji to Kyoto? Do we need to change train somewhere?
And if so would it be better to for example go to Nara first, then Uji by day to Kyoto to finish it off?

Option 1.
Day 5 Himeji -> Kyoto
Day 6 Kyoto
Day 7 Kyoto ->Uji -> Nara

Option 2.
Day 5 Himeji -> Nara
Day 6 Nara
Day 7 Nara -> Uji -> Kyoto

Truly appreciate any help as I'm confused as to what bulltrains I can actually take with this pass and what would be the most worth/less travel time to take.
Open for any suggestions to reprioritize what to visit the most.